Yilan Toucheng's 'A-Zong Taro Ice City': A Symphony of Smooth Black Sugar 'Ba-Pu'

Driving south along Provincial Highway 2, the vast Pacific Ocean unfolds to your left, while the increasingly lively town of Toucheng appears on your right. Located on Section 3, Qingyun Road, A-Zong Taro Ice City is an iconic establishment that has been delighting palates for over half a century, firmly establishing its king-level status in Taiwan's ice cream scene. This humble, old street-side shop boasts no luxurious decor. Regardless of whether it's a weekday or a holiday, the entrance and arcade are always packed with hungry patrons and motorcycle enthusiasts forming long queues. The most striking sight inside is undoubtedly the row of giant ice-making machines operating at low temperatures all day. Artisans, wielding large wooden scoops, deftly stir the ice slurry, releasing the astonishing natural aroma of taro and pure rice, a signature sensory signal of Yilan's Toucheng. The shop's undisputed treasure is the 'Signature Taro Ba-Pu,' scooped and served fresh. The shop still adheres to traditional methods, adding no artificial flavors or emulsifiers, relying purely on the natural stickiness of tapioca starch to create an ultimate texture. Served at the table, three perfectly round scoops of ice cream display a natural color. Taking a big bite, the outer layer offers a surprisingly slightly sticky yet multi-layered smoothness, while the inside is dense and firm. The key to its deliciousness lies in the local betel nut taro, slow-cooked by the shop, which imparts delicate, fresh taro granules within the ice cream. The rich taro fragrance and the mellow sweetness of brown sugar melt in your mouth, complemented by classic flavors like red beans, pineapple, and longan, creating an extremely rich and layered experience that makes it impossible to stop after just one bite. This seemingly simple yet meticulously crafted handmade 'ba-pu' not only fills the stomachs of countless travelers but also continues to write its story with this dense, authentic old-fashioned flavor.